convene a debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "convene a debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of gathering people to discuss or argue about a particular topic or issue. Example: "The committee decided to convene a debate on climate change to gather various perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then convene a debate in class arguing for and against the regulation of TV and radio opinion programs.

The New York Times

Kassell challenged the publisher to convene a debate with language experts to reach a "rational decision" on the question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Resolution is convening a debate tomorrow on how to improve cohabitation rights and a meeting in parliament at the end of the month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Labor pledged its support for the increased refugee intake and for the expanded airstrikes, although it urged the government to convene a parliamentary debate and explain "their long-term strategy regarding Australia's changing role in the defence of Iraq".

The Guardian

Let's convene a death panel!

The New York Times

Current Events- Convene a school-wide debate about prescription drug use in the United States.

The New York Times

In an attempt to give legal and constitutional validity to this approach, May convened a Commons "debate" on June 19.

The Guardian

In September, Sanchez de Lozada convened a national debate in La Paz on the problem of coca and cocaine, which was attended by representatives of industry, labor, the press, the armed forces, and the Church.

The New Yorker

Mid-afternoon on Wednesday, a reporter from the BBC's One Show convenes an informal debate between the occupation and a greying banker.

The Guardian

That same year, Edinburgh town council issued an edict closing brothels, while at the Italian university of Ferrara scholars convened an emergency debate to try to work out what had hit them.

The Guardian - Books

The president would convene a meeting of Democrats, Republicans and health care experts to debate the proposals, in plain-spoken terms, for the benefit of the American people.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "convene a debate" when you want to emphasize a formal or official gathering for discussion, often involving structured arguments and viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "convene a debate" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hold a discussion" or "have a chat" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convene a debate" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "convene" is the verb (meaning to assemble or gather), and "a debate" is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "convene a debate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of formally assembling a group for a structured discussion or argument. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is more appropriate for neutral to professional contexts like news reporting or business communications. Alternative phrases such as "organize a debate" or "hold a debate" may be suitable depending on the specific context. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, reflecting its use in describing official discussions and policy debates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

organize a debate

This alternative focuses on the logistical aspect of setting up the debate.

hold a debate

This alternative is a more straightforward and common way to express the action of having a debate.

call a debate

This suggests initiating or announcing a debate.

arrange a debate

This emphasizes the planning and preparation involved in setting up the debate.

conduct a debate

This emphasizes the action of managing and leading a debate.

stage a debate

This emphasizes the act of producing and presenting a debate event.

facilitate a debate

This highlights the role of guiding and mediating the debate.

host a debate

This focuses on providing the venue and logistical support for the debate.

initiate a debate

This suggests starting or beginning the debate.

launch a debate

This emphasizes the formal commencement or introduction of the debate.

FAQs

What does "convene a debate" mean?

"Convene a debate" means to formally assemble or bring together people for the purpose of discussing and arguing different sides of an issue. It implies a structured and organized discussion.

What are some alternatives to "convene a debate"?

You can use alternatives like "organize a debate", "hold a debate", or "call a debate" depending on the context.

Is "convene a debate" appropriate for informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "convene a debate" is more suited for formal or official contexts. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "hold a discussion" or "have a chat".

How do you use "convene a debate" in a sentence?

Example: "The committee decided to convene a debate on the proposed policy changes." You can also say, "The university plans to convene a debate to discuss the ethical implications of AI."